INTERAMERICAN UNIVERSITY
B.A. IN PSYCHOLOGY
COURSES
PHI 330. ETHICS (3)
The course examines the professional orientation and role identity of counselors, the objectives of
professional organizations, codes of ethics, legal aspects of practice, standards of preparation, and other
professional issues.
PSY 101. GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
This course is an introductory survey of the field of psychology with consideration of the biological bases of
behavior, sensory and perceptual processed, learning and memory, human growth and development, social
behavior and normal and abnormal behavior.
PSY 324. STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (3)
This course provides the student with an introduction to statistical methods used in psychology. The topics
include: graphing and frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, measures of spread, regression,
correlation, interval estimation and hypothesis testing. Prerequisite: MATH: 102: College Algebra or a more
advanced MATH course or consent of instructor.
PSY 381. PSYCHOLOGY. HISTORY AND SYSTEM (3)
This course is a survey of the origin and development of psychology during the modern period, from about
1600. Special attention is given to the systems of thought that have emerged since the founding of
psychology as an empirical science. Prerequisite: PSYC 101: General Psychology.
PSY 495. INTEGRATIVE PSYCHOLOGY (3)
This course is primarily an applications course. Personal growth is a major focus. Students will learn how
psychology can be helpful to the individual in various stages of development. Topics such as self-concept,
adjustment, stress and college and peer pressures are studied with emphasis on problem solving. Various
exercises are used to support theory.
PSY 304. PERSONALITY THEORY (3)
A survey of the major topics in the field of personality, including personality theory; personality assessment;
and the physiological, behavioral, and cultural roles of perception, learning, and motivation in personality.
PSY 330. LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
The major developmental accomplishments are covered in this course along with the tasks and factors during
infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. This course is recommended for all students seeking
a theoretical and applicable knowledge of human development. Prerequisite: PSYC 101: General Psychology.
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EDU 201. THEORY OF EDUCATION (3)
Philosophy, principles, purposes, significance, historical aspects, and roles of education upon country
development the emphasis is on the institution, theory, approach, and preparation for creative educational
programs.
EDU 406. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY (3)
Basic principles of management in design and operation of media programs and systems in various
educational settings. Emphasis on strategies and alternative structures for achieving and evaluating functions
of media centers.
MNG 390. STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT (3)
Case study of policy making and administration from a general management point of view. Emphasis on
problem analysis, the decision-making process, administration and control, and development of policies and
objectives.
MIS 410. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (3)
Introduction to the role of information systems in contemporary organizations. A wide variety of emerging
technologies and information systems will be studied, with emphasis on their development and application.
Students will also become familiar with software such as expert systems, decision systems, and groupware.
POL 423. EDUCATIONAL POLICY (3)
Focus on educational policy and the intersection of public schools and the law. In addition, the course also
covers topics such as compulsory school attendance laws, curriculum content, the First Amendment in
schools, flag salutes, school prayer, government aid to parochial schools, school financing, voucher plans,
community control of schools, bilingual education, and the issues surrounding single-sex schools.
EDU 208. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (3)
Principles of research methods, selection and formulation of research hypothesis, research strategies,
research approaches, research techniques with emphasis on their application in health practice and clinical
research. Introduction of clinical study design, hierarchy of evidence, potential bias associated with various
design, approach in critically evaluating clinical literature. Ethical principles for medical research, etc.
PSY 320. TESTS AND MEASUREMENT (3)
Theory, method and application of psychological tests and measures. Students will learn how to construct
and evaluate psychological tests. Standardized tests of intelligence, aptitude, interest and personality will be
reviewed, and ethical issues in the use of psychological tests will be discussed.
PSY 326. EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
This course introduces experimental psychology, and includes basic research methods in psychology, the
relationship between the brain and behavior, sensation and perception, conditioning and learning, and
memory and reasoning.
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PSY 390. HELPING SKILLS (3)
Students gain an understanding of the clinical process, from engagement to assessment, intervention, and
evaluation, and begin to develop the communication and consultation skills essential for working with
individuals with significant mental health and substance abuse problems, their families, and other
professionals. Skills covered include: values clarification; establishing effective relationships; listening skills;
team-building; working with natural supports; mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution.
PSY 430. BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION (3)
Examines basic principles of learning theory as applied to the development and change of human behavior.
Topics include: experimental design in clinical research, addictive behavior, fear and anxiety reduction,
cognitive behavior modification, self management, child behavior modification, and clinical therapy.
PSY 325. RESEARCH DESIGN (3)
Course discusses problems of measurement, the design of instruments, and problems of reliability and
validity. Common forms of measuring instruments are discussed. Concludes with an introduction to factor
analysis. Students apply principles to development of several common types of scales. Computers will be
used extensively.
PSY 332. INTEGRATIVE SEMINAR (3)
Students will participate in an analysis of a current policy issue. Students will be required to formulate
proposals and submit recommendations for policy responses, including assessment of requirements for interagency, inter-governmental and public consultation, and proposals for dealing with questions of
implementation, organizational innovation, delivery, compliance and enforcement.
SOC 101. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (3)
Introduces students to the discipline of sociology, beginning with an overview of sociological theory and
methods. The main part of the course focuses on key substantive areas of the discipline, and compares
current U.S. sociological data with findings from elsewhere. Students learn to see themselves and the world
in which they live through various sociological perspectives.
ART 101. ART APPRECIATION (3)
It is designed to enhance the students ability in understanding the purpose and function of art. The course is
comprehensive in the fact, it introduces the students to the major visual art forms; including the physical,
intellectual, and expressive characteristics reflected in the various medias. The main focus and objective of
this course is to encourage the students to open their mind to a variety of art forms, and seriously analyze its
purpose and reason for being - leading toward an intellectual understanding or appreciation of creations that
could very well seem abstract or obscure, because of the non-familiarity of concept or design.
ANT 101. ANTHROPOLOGY I (3)
This course represents the basic introduction to Anthropology as the discipline interested in the origins,
development, and nature of humans and their culture(s). It exposes the student to the perspectives, methods
and materials of the field through its five major subfield concentrations: Physical Anthropology,
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Archaeology, Anthropological Linguistics, Ethnology, and Social Anthropology. The primary focus of the
course is with humans, their physical and social / cultural nature. Among the topics to be addressed are:
human evolution and variation, prehistory and culture change, human communication, social organization
and structure. The course draws on a variety of societies and cultures in an attempt to understand human
similarity and diversity.
EDU 200. METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH (3)
The scientific method applied to educational problems; systematic application of hypothesis formation and
decision-making through elementary research design principles, survey procedures and historical analysis.
The course will engage students in developing the skills, habits, and knowledge needed to engage in inquiry
that is both scholarly and action-based. Students will develop a sense of what it means to be engaged
simultaneously in research and practice; identify a research question; review, analyze, and synthesize the
literature pertaining to the question; and explore the relationship between learning, inquiry, action, and
justice.
MAT 357. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS (3)
An introduction to the design, conduct, and statistical analyses of psychological research. The intent is to
provide students with knowledge of how to implement and evaluate research in both laboratory and applied
settings. Design and statistical analysis will be taught in the context of specific studies and data sets from
correlational, experimental, quasi-experimental and qualitative research. Written research projects will be
required.
NGS 412. SELF ADAPTATION CONTROL
The course presents a holistic view of humans as integrated physiological, psychological, and sociological
beings. It focuses on the role of physical activity in delaying, alleviating, and rehabilitating hipokinetic and
stress related illness. In addition, the course is designed to teach apparently healthy individuals (a) how to
assess their physical fitness and nutritional status, and (b) plan and engage in personalized conditioning
programs.
EDU 290. GUIDANCE COUNSELING (3)
This course is designed to assist students in Counseling and Personnel Services in their understanding of
career development theory and research, the assessment of individual career development processes, and the
techniques and skills necessary in the practical application of career counseling. This course will be of
immense benefit to those students intending to pursue a career in career counseling as well as to those
students interested in educational, mental health and substance abuse settings since the world of work is
intertwined with all aspects of personal development.
MNG 333. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (3)
An introduction to topics such as human resource planning, equal employment opportunity, selection,
training and development, performance appraisal, compensation, safety and health, and employee and labor
relations. The impact of laws and of societal and business trends on human resource functions is also
presented. Each manager's role in dealing with human resources is emphasized.
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PSY 360. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
This course presents the richness, complexity and variety of human social behavior and the science that
studies it in a conceptually integrated way. Social psychology, as the interface between the individual and
the social world, is positioned between the individual level of explanation of most forms of psychology and
the societal focus taken by other social sciences. Broad topics covered include social perception, social
influence, and social relations.
PSY 371. PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
The broad aims of this course are to give you an understanding for the way in which a knowledge of brain
structure and function help us explain the production of behavior and its modification through learning. The
course also aims to show how such information can be applied in developing therapies for common
conditions including obesity and schizophrenia.
PSY 402. LEARNING AND COGNITION (3)
The aim of this course is to examine apparently intelligent behavior in non-human animals and to consider it
is necessary to invoke 'cognitive processes' for their explanation, and if so what the nature of those processes
might be. It is assumed that the study of "animal minds" is of interest (a) in its own right and (b) because it
may clarify our thinking about mind in general and the human mind in particular.
EDU 390. GUINDANCE COUNSELING II (3)
An introduction and professional orientation to: the history of the profession of counseling, including a
review of guidance and personnel services; the social, economic, philosophical, theoretical, and political
bases of the profession; the major legal and ethical issues facing counselors; and a survey of career
opportunities for counselors.
EDU 400. CURRICULAR DESIGN (3)
The power to transform the learner when moving beyond the teaching of disparate facts (hoping students
will acquire a lot of knowledge) to a focus on understanding (sophisticated insights into big, central ideas).
Using the powerful "backwards design" model developed by Wiggens and McTighe (Understanding by
Design, ASCD) participants will each outline a course of study for their own setting and needs. Enduring
understandings, performance assessment, learning activities, rubrics and assessment task lists, are all foci of
the course. Designed for educational leaders (directors, department heads, family educators, informal
educators, central agency personnel, etc.), especially those who enjoy thinking conceptually about
curriculum.
PSY 450. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
An introduction to psychopathology. General principles such as description and classification, development
and dynamics, causation, evaluation, treatment, research design. Application of these principles to the
analysis of the main syndromes of abnormal behavior.
PSY 460. INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL AND COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY (3)
Theories and practice of clinical psychology. Emphasis on treatment modalities, and the specialties and work
settings of clinical psychologists. To develop a basic knowledge and understanding of the profession and
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practice of clinical psychology. This includes major models of psychotherapy, assessment strategies, and
specialties within the field. This course is also designed to help students in their decision-making about
clinical psychology as a career choice.
PSY 260. INTRODUCTION TO APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY (3)
This course is a survey of the applications of psychology to the practical problems of society. The areas
considered include: clinical and counseling, industrial, human factors engineering, educational and school
psychology, environmental psychology, as well as forensic and medical psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 101:
General Psychology.
EDU 365. EDUCATIONAL PLANNING (3)
This course is an introduction to program planning and policy evaluation in education, with special emphasis
on multimethod and mixed methods planning and evaluation of school improvement programs. The course
will include theoretical and practical steps for preparation of program planning and evaluation proposals,
conducting evaluation projects, and providing feedback to stakeholders. Ethical, political, and technical
issues and dilemmas in evaluation of educational programs will also be discussed.
HIS 410. CONTEMPORARY HISTORY (3)
This course traces the evolution of the human experience since the industrial revolution in the early 19th
century. The nature of social systems, cultures, economic transformations, the role of religion, education,
and criminal justice in the development of modern cultures will be explored. Particular attention is paid to
the methods of ‘doing’ history. Students will learn to analyze and interpret historical facts and critically
assess the views of different historians and philosophers of history.
MNG 459. DECISION MAKING AND POLICY (3)
Psychological Decision Making is a course that addresses the knowledge and skills that are required in
making basic and important decisions in the practice of Psychology. These include computer literacy skills,
writing and presentation skills, critical evaluation of the literature, study design, biostatistics, epidemiology,
issues related to diagnosis and the ordering and interpretation of clinical tests, decision analysis, costeffectiveness analysis, and decision psychology. PDM provides a context that will help students understand
and apply the large amount of basic science and clinical information learned.
EDU 440. COMPARATIVE EDUCATION (3)
Students in this course examine educational policy issues in an international context. Working closely with
professors from a variety of disciplines, they study such problems as educational planning in comparative
perspective, the dynamic relationship between school and community, equity and education, and the political
economy of underdevelopment.
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